The Philip’s International Soccer 7’s took place May 24-25 at the HKFC. The Yau Yee Select team comprising, Mark Szeliga, Anthony James, Martin Rainer, Nathen Hayward, Simon Galvin, Renato Carvalho do Nascimento, Mike Morton, Henry Kwong, Marco Klaus and James Stroud had a daunting task in the “group of death” comprising Aston Villa, PSV Eindhoven and Bulova Rangers.
First up for the Select team was Aston Villa, 3 times winners and defending champions of the cup competition. The game was extremely close with both teams trading shots on goal. The select team had held out for over 10 minutes before future Villa superstar Nathan Delfouneso struck for Villa. Full time 1-0, but the team felt unlucky to go away with a defeat. Next up was PSV Eindhoven. With renewed confidence the select team started well and Nathen Hayward latching onto a James Stroud ball managed to steer home after the goalkeeper fumbled. PSV managed to equalize before half time, which made for an enthralling second half. The game was very open and the Select team pressed on. Renato was causing some problems for the PSV defense and a trip in the box on him gave the Select team a Penalty. Simon Galvin stepped up and slotted coolly past the PSV keeper. The Select team held on for an amazing and deserved 2-1 victory.
Our last group game pitched us up against local HK first division Rangers. Again, this was a closely matched game, with Rangers deciding to play cautiously. This suited our game and we were able to break and attack on numerous occasions. With time running down Nathan Hayward thought his fierce left footed drive had won us the game…only to see the ball ricochet off the post. A draw meant that a 4 minute, 4 against 4 players extra-time was needed to decide which team would enter the main Cup competition. Fours minutes felt like hours as Rangers peppered the Select goal, only to be foiled by some stern defending and excellent goalkeeping by Mark Szeliga. As extra time drew to a close, it was sudden death penalty kicks. Select’s Martin Rainer pummeled his penalty into the Rangers goal….initiative with Select. Then the confident Rangers striker stepped up to take the penalty, but was in shock when his well struck penalty was amazingly saved by Mark in goal….the players, fans and coaches rush to celebrate Mark’s heroics (see attached photo)….The Yau Yee Select team enter the prestigious Cup competition.
Still buzzing from Saturday evening’s heroics the Select team shows up for Sunday’s knockout competition realizing that we are the only HK team (professional and amateur) in the Cup competition.
However, the reality is that we are pitched up against Glasgow Rangers for place in Cup Semi final.
The game is evenly balanced and the Select team has a couple of shots on goal. Then the referee gave Rangers a penalty for what appeared an innocuous challenge in the box…. 1-0 half time.
Changes are made at half time, and again we have some chances to equalize, however the Rangers youngsters break and put the game past the Select team. Full time 2-0.
The defeat meant that the Select team was placed in the Shield competition.
The Select team was now pitched up against their fifth professional team in 2 times Champions Uwara Red Diamonds. Victory would place us up against West Ham United in the final.
The games started off in a prophetic pace and within 30 seconds we were 1-0 done, when a deflected shot wrong footed Mark in goal.
The Reds were an extremely quick, strong and well organized team and were giving the Select team many problems and little time on the ball. The pressure told later in the half when the Reds extended their lead. 2-0 half time.
The Select team showed great resolve and could have easily given up against a very good Reds team, but we showed great team spirit and not only controlled the second half, but could have easily got back into the match. Final score 2-0.
The achievements of the Yau Yee Select team are unsurpassed, not only did we provide some shock results, but played well and competitive throughout the competition. Our results are put into perspective when you see the overall competition results: Cup Winners: Aston Villa; Plate Winners: PSV Eindhoven, Shield Winners: Uwara Red Diamonds.
The 2008 HKFC Philips Lighting International Soccer 7’s saw the league invited to enter a team in the masters tournament for the first time. With seven players aged over 40 and three aged over 35, the YYL Select Veterans included Nathan Slaymaker, Steve Rigby, Martin James, Barry Wilson, Gary Rollinson, Alain Lo, Chan Kam Pui, Barry Pearce, Pete Hymns and Sean Hurley, managed by Nick Oates and coached by Luke Schroder and Gavin McDermott. We’ll leave you to work out who the real old men of the team were!
The masters tournament kicked off on Friday night, with the YYL pitted against Rangers All Stars, who included members of the Rangers team that won nine consecutive league championships in Scotland. It proved to be the stern examination that everyone had expected, with the ex-professionals enjoying the bulk of the possession. But the YYL held their own in the first half, with keeper Nathan making one fantastic save from point blank range. Rangers upped the tempo in the second period, however, and the ever skilful Mark Walters fired them in front from the edge of the box. The YYL kept plugging away, and Barry Pearce and Chan Kam Pui got in a couple of long range efforts. Scott Nisbet then intercepted a pass and in one motion chipped Nathan in goal, who will be just a tad disappointed that he wasn’t able to deal with it. The YYL worked hard to deny the team that eventually went on to win the masters tournament and could be proud of their efforts.
On to Saturday, where we faced local team Blake Garden, late replacements for the Marseille All Stars. With more time and space, the YYL was able to impose their football on the game. After a couple of earlier efforts from distance, team captain Steve Rigby dropped his shoulder and hit a scorcher into the top corner to give us a first-half lead. That goal proved enough, as the pace of the game dropped in the afternoon heat.
The last group game was against Kowloon Cricket Club, managed by FA Cup winner Lawrie Sanchez. Knowing a win would put them in the main cup competition, the YYL started brightly, dominating the game and carving out chance after chance. Alain hit the crossbar, while one of our strikers missed from less than a yard. With our teamwork improving, the football continued to flow in the second half and it was a superb individual effort from Alain “Twinkle Toes” Lo that gave us the lead, as he dribbled past three players and fired into the roof of the net. The goal shook KCC into action, however, and a lapse of concentration at the back allowed them to equalise soon after. More chances came and went for the YYL, but the match ended in a draw. Disappointed by the result, we could take heart from playing some excellent football.
Sunday’s early start didn’t affect the old men of the YYL, who came out of the blocks quickly against Footy Japan in the quarter finals of the plate. Starting from where we left off the previous evening, the YYL soon gained control. A long cross-field pass from Barry Wilson picked out Gary Rollinson steaming down the left who somehow finished and we were one up. With Alain and Ah Chan keeping things moving in midfield, it wasn’t long before a second goal came. Martin powered down the right, looked up and saw Barry Wilson in the box. The pass was spot on, allowing Barry to control the ball and roll it inside to Alain, who finished calmly. With Steve and Martin keeping things solid at the back, we continued to create chances, Sean hitting the bar from a tight angle and the two Barry’s both firing wide after the team had worked good positions for them. The job was already done, and we were into the semi finals.
Another tough test awaited, as our opponents were KFC Tokyo, who had reached the semi finals of the masters cup in 2007. Sure enough, Tokyo quickly took control of the game, taking a two-nil first half lead with some excellently taken goals. With Gary’s surges down the right and Sean’s ceaseless running up front, the YYL raised their game and with a bit more precision could have got back into it. Tokyo extended their lead in the second half with another well-worked goal, and our participation in the tournament came to an end.
Big thanks to all those involved in what was a great tournament.
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Glory
YYL Veterens Select
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